PHOTOS & VIDEO [UPDATED 4:05 PM] A man was hospitalized this afternoon after swimming across the freezing Lake Carasaljo, police say. At about 2:15 PM, LCSW received a call about a man swimming in the lake, and immediately phoned it in to police, while dispatching their own units.
The man removed his clothing at the North Lake Beach and jumped into the freezing Lake, swimming about 100 yards to the South Lake Beach – where he was met by officers.
Preliminary reports from the man indicated there may have been another person in the waters, but witnesses and a later report by the man showed the man acted alone, sources say.
The man was transported by EMS to KMC with non life-threatening injuries, where he is being evaluated for his physical and mental stability, Sgt. Joseph Goertz tells TLS. (TLS-CAC/TLS-CCP).
He should be hospitalized in a mental ward for stupidity.
lemme guess, he’s from tent city.
Editor: man is only spelled with one n
He might have done something stupid.. but why would officers be called??
Maybe he was training to become a navy SEAL??
where do they come from?????
We have our own Poplar Bear Club right here in Lakewood.
why would a volunteer organization, aka neighborhood watch be receiving calls in the first place, only slowing down emergency response and what business do they have even responding????? can someone with some sort of intelligence clarify this for the rest of us readers??
Officers were called for many reasons….first thing, this person has obvious mental issues and could become combative when first aides are treating or if the person dies of hypothermia , it needs to be investigated and notifications would need to be made by law enforcement officials just to name a few reasons
To DLK. Of course officers should be called regarding this matter. It’s a public disturbance. I know I would be horrified if I saw this happening. Especially in this weather.
Is there a Polar Bear Club in Lakewood? It sounds like the swimmer is in training for the Kooky Club.
It is good that he was saved by LPD and a concerned citizen who reported the incident.
Maybe he was trying out for the PBA’s Polar Bear club.
Great job LCSW
with the quick thinking of LCSW this man’s live was saved.
Kudos to all units that responded 21,42,71,311
and of course great job LPD as well.
I’ve been living near S Lake for many years and it’s been a long time since someone has atttempted that. One Shavuos, probably over 20 yrs ago a few friends (2 or 3) set out from N Lake and one didn’t make it. There was a diving team searching for the body. Although it is not a long stretch of space, it is not safe to swim across! In this weather, a guy’s got to be nuts to attempt it!
He should be confined to a mental institution.
However, if he’s from Tent City, then he should simply be allowed to return to Tent City and nothing should be done about it. It’s all society’s fault, and its definitely not his fault that he’s homeless, so how can you possibly even conceive of the idea of forcibly removing him from Tent City and placing him into a mental institution?
But if he has a home, and he seems like an otherwise reasonable person, then he should definitely be confined to a mental institution for swimming the lake in 47 degrees.
What’s the big deal? I have seen people jogging in shorts and no shirt in below freezing weather. The body keeps itself warm when exercising. Or maybe it was a tevilas kerach. . .
not necessarily does he belong in mental institution b/c he swam in the lake .. ppl do crazy things all the time and dont get admitted in mental ward.
just b/c its not norm to u , which im not saying what he did is.. but doesnt mean the person is crazy
You guys all don’t get it. The guy was naked, after swimming across. He went jogging down south lake, naked
Lakewood Polar Bear Club ?
Thank you LPD, LCSW and EMS for responding in this freezing weather and helping out an obviously not so normal person.
To ck # 7,
Please explain why you believe a man taking a swim in a cold lake is called a “public disturbance” ??
Maybe you should talk to # 6. At least there’s some sense in that comment.
who want’s to swim in Lake Carasaljo, so much ick in the lake.
Fyi, There is an International Cold Water Swimming Championship held annually in Antarctic Isles where the temperatures range from 32 to 39 degrees.
Obviously, as cold-water swimming is one of the most challenging sports known to mankind, the number of entrants is not very high.
That competition ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 meters (waaay more than a measly 100 yards.) However, the rules do require participants to wear a dry-suit during their swim to prevent hypothermia. Additionally, boats are scattered along the swimming route to provide medical treatment to any swimmer in need.
Perhaps we should give serious consideration to using our beloved lake to draw some tourist activity at this time of year.. 😉
Polar Bear Club .. Do this for Charity Childrens hospitals, Cancer, all kinds of Charities..This guy just did it ..WOW..
I was in the ER today and met him there,he was shivering like crazy
I was there!! Wassoooo funny
now you see its all tent cities fault if tent city wasnt there this would of never happened…..
@yid: please get a life code 1 on a rush!
very important news for this exciting city! thanks TLS for your great and important coverage!!!!
great idea for “new fundraiser” – who could swim across the lake first!!!!
Yid great comments as usual. love your humor!
If every person were hospitalized for stupidity there would no one left! (who hasn’t had a stupid moment?) There’s a difference between being stupid & being mentally unstable. Just because some one is mentally ill does not mean that they are stupid & vice versa.
Swim for Cancer!!!
Sad part is he prob wont end up getting the help he needs. I’m just glad he decided to go swimming as opposed to doing something that may hurt others.
Where then can the Tent city people take a bath !!!!???
Some people have no compassion for human life. He was naked in these temps and that lake is dangerous. Obviously there was a need to save the man from himself and possibly others. Him being naked in a public place is illegal. Of course the police were called. Good job LPD!